‘I am a resource for them’—Troy Aikman offers some more clarity on his relationship with the Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphin’s rebuild was build, in part, with the help of former NFL QB Troy Aikman. He shared some new perspective on the relationship this month.
The storylines that have spawned between the Miami Dolphins and Monday Night Football commentator (and former NFL QB) Troy Aikman since January have largely been rooted in ‘conflict of interest’. Aikman’s been in football media for decades since he hung up the cleats.
So when the Miami Dolphins tabbed him to help with their GM search this winter, it raised some eyebrows. Aikman had never done anything like this before. But he dove into the process and, by all accounts, was a spectacular contributor to the process. It landed the Miami Dolphins Jon-Eric Sullivan at GM and Jeff Hafley at head coach. Aikman will now transition back to the booth — but he appeared on ‘Dallas Dialogue with Dale’ with Dale Hansen at the beginning of August.
Hansen, a highly accomplished sportscaster with Dallas roots, got Aikman to touch on his relationship with Miami. Not just from the winter, but also moving forward.
Troy Aikman clarifies his current situation with the Miami Dolphins organization
“I have no plans to leave ESPN. I’m enjoying my broadcasting career as much as I ever have. And so it doesn’t afford me the time that I think it would require if I was to give the Dolphins more than I’ve given them up to this point. But I am a resource for them. No official title. Who knows, maybe that might change at some point when I decide to walk away from broadcasting and if I still want to get involved and stay involved with an NFL team…I feel a sense of ownership with it. I am pulling for them. And if it doesn’t work out, I’ll be disappointed because I’ve got fingerprints that are on that as well.”
— NFL broadcaster & Miami Dolphins consultant Troy Aikman
This is where I think the “conflict of interest” narrative jumps the shark. In this same interview, Aikman was asked about how he’ll handle calling a Miami football game. And Troy smiled and mentioned that Miami isn’t on the Monday Night Football schedule this season, as they’re getting out of “cap hell”. That was the bit of the interview that made a headline somewhere else in regard to conflict of interest. But it’s far from the most interesting part of Aikman’s discussion about the Dolphins.
Him having no official title but being “a resource” is relevant. And interesting. Aikman leaving the door open to take an official title with the Dolphins when he steps out of the booth is interesting. (I hope he does.) Aikman nodding to his fingerprints being on the team and him being invested in the success of the Dolphins because of it is absolutely interesting.
The most interesting detail
None of them are the most interesting detail that Aikman outlined — whether it be about his relationship with Miami or how he handles calling a game. The most interesting part of the conversation? That would be the nod to Roger Goodell, who Aikman has apparently spoken to about his circumstances.
“I’ve talked to the commissioner (Roger Goodell) and he’s fine with with what I’m doing and and my role, but I think that anyone that’s behind a mic that’s calling a game; there’s a conflict of interest because you have relationships in this business,” said Aikman.
So there it is. Aikman is still a resource for the Dolphins. He doesn’t have an official title. And the arrangement has a stamp of approval from Roger Goodell. Time is the only thing that will provide any more clarity than that.
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